Meningitis

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system,
known collectively as the meninges. Meningitis is a disease involving inflammation, or irritation,

of the meninges. Most cases of meningitis are caused by microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria,
fungi, or parasites, that spread into the blood and into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Many of the
bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis are fairly common and are more often associated with
other everyday illnesses. Sometimes, however, they spread to the meninges from an infection in
another part of the body. The meninges are composed of three layers of membranes enclosing the
brain and spinal cord. Pia mater is the innermost layer. It is akin to a tissue paper that closely
adheres to the brain and spinal cord, dipping into the various folds and crevices. Arachnoid mater
is the middle layer. It is a filmy membrane that is joined to the pia mater by fine threads
resembling a cobweb.
Dura mater, a parchment-like membrane, lies on the outermost part of the meninges and adheres to
the skull and spinal canal. The cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is the fluid that circulates in the spaces
in and around the brain and spinal cord. In the past, most meningitis cases occurred in children
younger than 5 years. But as a result of the protection offered by current childhood vaccines, most
meningitis cases now occur in young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Older also tend to
have a higher incidence of meningitis than do young children. Bacterial meningitis is less common
than viral meningitis but is usually much more serious and can be life-threatening if not
treated promptly.
Many different types of bacteria can cause meningitis:
• Group B Streptococcus.
• Escherichia coli.
• Listeria monocytogenes.
These are the most common causes of meningitis in newborns. It's also possible to get
viral meningitis as a complication of chickenpox, but this is also very rare in healthy kids.
Meningococcal meningitis is endemic in parts of Africa, India, and other developing

nations. Bacterial meningitis is contagious, which means it can be passed to someone else
by spit or snot.
Symptoms in infants under 12 months include:
• high fever
• fretfulness
• irritability - particularly when handled
• difficulty awakening
• drowsiness
• difficulty feeding
• a stiff neck
• bulging fontanelle
Meningitis also can lead to skin rashes, although rashes caused by bacterial
meningitis look different from those caused by viral meningitis.
Immunosuppressed patients are at increased risk of opportunistic infections
and acute bacterial meningitis. Immunosuppressed patients may not show
dramatic signs of fever or meningeal inflammation. Complications of
bacterial meningitis may require specific treatment. Rest, fluids, and good
nutrition, as well as measures to control fever and relieve pain, will ease
discomfort and aid in recovery from viral meningitis. Drugs such as
dexamethasone (a steroid, different from the steroids abused by
bodybuilders, that can reduce swelling of the brain) are sometimes given to
reduce inflammation or to reduce the chance, or spread, of septicemia.
Causative agent..
Meningitis is an infection that causes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid

around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. The primary
symptoms of this disease are headaches, fever and a stiff neck.
Enterovirus
1. According to the Mayo Clinic, most meningitis cases are caused by an
enterovirus. Viral meningitis is often mild and clears up in two weeks
without medication in most cases.
Pneumococcus
2. Pneumococcus bacteria cause many meningitis cases in infants and
young children. This bacteria may also cause ear infections and
pneumonia.
Meningococcus
3. Meningococcus bacteria can enter the bloodstream from an upper
respiratory infection and result in meningitis. This form of the disease
is highly contagious and may cause epidemics in colleges and military
bases.
Haemophilus
4. The occurrence of meningitis caused by haemophilus bacteria has
been greatly reduced because of child immunizations with Hib
vaccines. This infection usually follows an ear infection or upper
respiratory infection.
Listeria
5. Listeria is a common bacteria that can spread from soil, dust or foods.
Pregnant women, newborn babies and older people have a greater risk
of developing meningitis from this bacteria.
Fungus
6. Fungal meningitis can affect people with AIDS and it can be a life-
threatening illness.
Types of meningitis
Bacterial meningitis - These infections are the most dangerous variety of

meningitis, and can be the result of several different types of bacteria. Bacterial
meningitis occurs when bacteria migrates to the brain and spinal cord from the
blood stream, or when bacteria directly attacks the meninges from an ear or
sinus infection. Different strains of bacteria tend to attack people in different
segments of the population. They include:
Haemophilus influenza (haemophilus) type b - This strain was the most

common cause of bacterial meningitis before the 1990s, when new vaccines
became available. Type b bacterial meningitis usually occurs after a case of ear
infection, upper respiratory infection, or sinusitis.
Listeria monocytogenes (listeria) - This strain of bacteria is practically

everywhere: food (cheese, meat, etc.), soil, and on animals. People who work
with farm animals are especially at risk. However, most healthy people do not
contact it. New born babies, older adults, and pregnant women tend to catch this
strain the most. Listeria can be transmitted from mother to fetus, resulting in a
stillborn death or the baby dying after birth.
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) - This strain of bacteria usually

occurs when a person has an upper respiratory infection when the infection
enters the blood stream. Because meningococcus is especially contagious,
epidemics are possible in areas where many people live together (college
dormitories; daycares; military housing; etc).
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) - This strain affects mostly

babies and young children, and can lead to pneumonia and ear/sinus infections.
Chronic meningitis - During these cases of meningitis, meningitis takes four or

more weeks to occur, in contrast to acute meningitis, which occurs very quickly.
Chronic meningitis is relatively uncommon.
Fungal meningitis - Fungal meningitis is also uncommon, but that may affect
people with weak immune systems (for example, people with AIDS; persons
taking immunosuppressant drugs; etc.).
Viral Meningitis - Each year in the US, more cases of meningitis occur from
viral infections than bacterial infections. These infections are usually significantly
milder than bacterial infections, and may be treated by allowing the body's
immune system to do its own job. Children under the age of 5 account for most
cases of viral meningitis.
Symptoms of meningitis
A person experiencing meningitis may have a fever, headache, sensitivity to
light, and stiff neck. But sometimes symptoms of meningitis are even more
severe. As meningitis may result in brain damage and stroke by blocking blood
vessels to the brain, it's important to notice symptoms of meningitis and get a
diagnosis quickly.
Early symptoms of meningitis

During the early stages of meningitis, symptoms may be confused for influenza
(the flu). Early symptoms, developing over one or two days, include:
• confusion, or difficulty concentrating

• explosive vomiting (without prior nausea)
• high fever
• lack of interest in drinking and eating
• seizures
• sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• severe headache
• skin rash in some cases, such as in viral or meningococcal meningitis
• sleepiness or difficulty waking up
• stiff neck
• vomiting or nausea with headache
Symptoms of meningitis in children

Babies and young children may exhibit different symptoms than adults, including:
• a bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby's head (larger, anterior fontanel)
• constant crying, and crying hard when they are picked up
• excessive sleepiness or irritability
• inability to maintain eye contact
• lack of appetite
• slowness (or, being inactive)
• stiffness in the baby's body and neck
• vomiting
Complications
Seizures may occur as the infection progresses in patients of all ages.
Meningitis can further damage organs of the body and be life-threatening.
Adrenal gland failure, behavioral problems, blindness, hearing loss, kidney
failure, learning disabilities, and speech loss can also occur due to meningitis.
Medical examinations
To help your doctor, write down any symptoms that you are experiencing, and
circumstances that are associated with meningitis (e.g. contact with animals;
recent cold, ear, or sinus infections; whether or not you live in a college dormitory
or have a child in daycare; your vaccination history; a list of all medication that
you have been taking; if you have a girlfriend or boyfriend who has meningitis;
etc.). Your doctor may order one of several tests to determine if you have
meningitis. These include:
Blood tests (hemoculture) - These tests may determine bacterial strains that
have entered the blood stream, and may be causing bacterial meningitis.
DNA tests - Called a polymerase chain reaction analysis (PCR), this DNA test
looks for certain causes of meningitis.
Imaging tests - Computerized tomography (CT scans) or x-rays look for

inflammation in the chest, sinuses, skull, and other areas of the body associated
with meningitis.
Spinal tap - Also known as a lumbar puncture. During this procedure, your
cerebrospinal fluid is collected, and analyzed for low sugar, increased protein,
and increased white blood cells. These are indicative of meningitis. Additionally,
this test may allow the doctor to culture the specific type of bacterial strain that
may be causing the meningitis, allowing for better treatment. This test may take
a relatively long period of time: up to one week. However, a new test--Xpert EV
test--allows results in less than 3 hours for 90% of viral meningitis cases. A
negative test may indicate bacterial meningitis, while a positive test indicates viral
meningitis.
Throat culture - This test can identify the bacterial strain causing headache,
neck pain, and throat pain, but does not determine what bacteria may be in your
cerebrospinal fluid.
Some of the risk factors for meningitis include:
• Age: Babies below 5 years of age, youth in the age group of

15-24 and older adults are at a greater risk of being infected
with meningitis.
• Community Living: Students living in hostels, dormitories,
military personnel living in camps and children living in hostels
are at a higher risk of developing meningitis.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant mothers are likely to develop listeriosis,
which is caused by listeria bacteria. This bacterium may also
cause meningitis. A child born of women suffering from
listeriosis is at higher risk of developing meningitis.
• Animals: Dairy farmers and ranchers working with pets and
domestic animals are at a increased risk of developing listeria
which may ultimately lead to meningitis.
• Immune-Compromised System: People suffering from AIDS,
diabetes and those using immunosuppressant drugs are
susceptible to develop meningitis (16).
Signs & Symptoms
Some of the common signs and symptoms for meningitis in babies

and young children include:
1. High temperature, fever, with the possibility of cold hands and

feet
2. Vomiting or nausea and refusing food
3. High pitched moaning and whimpering cry
4. Blank and/or staring expression
5. Pale and blotchy complexion
6. Baby may be floppy and dislike being handled
7. Difficult to wake or lethargic
8. The fontanelle (soft spot on a baby's heads) may be tense or
bulging (17).
The common signs and symptoms in children and adults are as

follows:
1. High temperature, fever, with the possibility of cold hands and

feet.
2. Vomiting or nausea and sometimes diarrhea.
3. Severe headache
4. Stiffness of neck
5. Joint or muscle pains, occasionally cramps in stomach with
septicaemia.
6. Intolerance of bright lights
7. Drowsiness
8. Seizures
9. The patient may be confused or disoriented
10. Adults and children may develop rash (17).

Meningitis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Meningitis

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Meningitis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system,

known collectively as the meninges. Meningitis is a disease involving inflammation, or irritation,

Many different types of bacteria can cause meningitis:

Meningococcal meningitis is endemic in parts of Africa, India, and other developing

Symptoms in infants under 12 months include:

Meningitis is an infection that causes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid

Bacterial meningitis - These infections are the most dangerous variety of

Haemophilus influenza (haemophilus) type b - This strain was the most

Listeria monocytogenes (listeria) - This strain of bacteria is practically

Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) - This strain of bacteria usually

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) - This strain affects mostly

Chronic meningitis - During these cases of meningitis, meningitis takes four or

Early symptoms of meningitis

• confusion, or difficulty concentrating

Symptoms of meningitis in children

Imaging tests - Computerized tomography (CT scans) or x-rays look for

Some of the risk factors for meningitis include:

• Age: Babies below 5 years of age, youth in the age group of

Signs & Symptoms

Some of the common signs and symptoms for meningitis in babies

1. High temperature, fever, with the possibility of cold hands and

The common signs and symptoms in children and adults are as

1. High temperature, fever, with the possibility of cold hands and

You might also like